Hitting vs. Swinging in Golf (TGM)

[LeviTee]

It should be Hitting vs. Striking the ball. You will need to swing, but you want to strike the ball. As for topping your irons, just keep your head down, don't over swing. Every round is a learning experience, enjoy it.

[iacas]

It should be Hitting vs. Striking the ball. You will need to swing, but you want to strike the ball. As for topping your irons, just keep your head down, don't over swing. Every round is a learning experience, enjoy it.

I'm pretty sure he is talking about TGM terms/feelings. In which case it's definitely swinging vs. hitting.

[Danattherock]

Pretty safe assumption Erik.

Topper, buy a copy of Bobby Clampett's "The Impact Zone".

Now. Amazon has it for about $15. Big book stores will have it too.

Many reviews in the "Reading Room" sub-forum here on that book.

It is a must read.


-Dan

[iacas]

Without going into too much detail, the basics are this...

In The Golfing Machine Homer Kelley says that golfers are either "hitters" or "swingers." The actual definitions can get a bit deep, but the simplest definitions are as follows (for righties):

Hitting: Thrusting or Pushing with the right arm.
Swinging: Pulling with the left arm.

Now, science has proven that everyone is a bit of both, but The Golfing Machine is largely about feels and I think everyone will "feel" that they're a bit more of one than the other.

So, answer the question, and share your thoughts.

[colin007]

i think of myself as more of a "hitter" - the feeling i get when i pull with the left arm is that im going to flip. i know i flip nonetheless, but pushing with the right makes me feel like i can drive the hands better and not flip so much.

[jamo]

I feel more "hitting" but would like to feel a bit more "swinging."

[Slappy9]

If this makes sense - I feel as if im "Swining" through most of my swing but when I reach 4-5 oclock its more "Hitting".

[saevel25]

I am not to entirely sure, i never thought about it. I know i am a completely right handed person, no coordination with left hand at all except for catching stuff, i played baseball as a kid. But i do mostly everything with my right hand. So i would guess i am more of a hitter than a swinger.

Is there swing faults associated with the type, like Hitters tend to do something that swingers dont?

[Zeph]

I'd have trouble with feeling either arm doing more than the other, but probably more hitting than swinging.

[iacas]

If this makes sense - I feel as if im "Swining" through most of my swing but when I reach 4-5 oclock its more "Hitting".

Isn't 4-5 o'clock after impact? You're a righty, after all. 6 o'clock is straight down i.e. at the ball, no?

[whatwhatwhat]

Finally a easy definition to define both, Im definately a swinger(lol), is one particularly better than the other no?

[Slappy9]

Isn't 4-5 o'clock after impact? You're a righty, after all. 6 o'clock is straight down i.e. at the ball, no?

Yea 7-8 O'clock is probably the better reference.... Yes I meant before impact.

Does this make sense to anyone else? The changing from "Swining" to "Hitting" I mean.

[Fontaine]

I still feel like a hitter, but working on a drill which should make me more of a swinger.

[iacas]

Yea 7-8 O'clock is probably the better reference.... Yes I meant before impact.

Without getting too far into it, I think that's part of the reason everyone is a bit of both. You feel probably "pull, then push."

[Slappy9]

You feel probably "pull, then push."

Thats Exactly what I feel.

Is this the feeling you should get through your swing?

[allin]

I have always been more of a hitter. As I am older now I am gradually becoming more of a swinger. I feel that with the natural loss of speed I have better results with a swinger feel. Sometimes I backslide when I put pressure on myself but I am making progress. PS I had a mild to moderate stroke caused by a head injury in my twenties and some of my left side feel and strength is slightly compromised, but not enough to be a valid excuse; but lacking confidence I naturally emphasized my right arm and side when learning to play.

[uttexas]

I feel mostly hitting.



Austin Powers is more of a swinger, yeah, baby.

[JackLee]

I am a swinger, but I do not pull with my left arm. That's a death move. I pull with my body.